totallylovedbygod65
Member
- Mar 12, 2024
- 336
- 288
PASTOR JOHAN LOURENS
He Will Go Before You!
“I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well. ”. 2 Corinthians 8:8 (AMP)
In context Paul was addressing the Corinthian church concerning their heart attitude when it came to giving. In the verses before this one, he complimented them on how they excelled in so many ways – in their faith, their gifted speakers, their knowledge, their enthusiasm, and their love for Paul. But Paul wanted them to excel also in the gracious act of giving (v:7). This church was primarily a Gentile church, and Paul was reminding them of their pledge to contribute to helping the Jewish Christians that were being greatly persecuted in Jerusalem. Paul wanted to assure them that they were giving to the Lord, through the church. Giving is a spiritual principle that we are all expected to excel in. Our part is to give to the Lord, as an act of worship, and the results are extensive. In 2 Corinthians 9:11 Paul explained that giving into God’s kingdom interests results in the giver being enriched in every way, and God’s kingdom work being advanced: “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” Paul also wanted them to know that giving is an act of grace, not a grudging obligation, done out of compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “… don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Giving is always about the motivation of the heart. While it’s true that there is a definite reciprocal and proportionate return on our gifts – the point is, our giving is as much as about what’s in our hearts as it is about what’s in our hands. What impresses the Lord is not necessarily about what we give as much as how we give. The attitude of our heart is what honours Him. Proverbs 21:2 says, “People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.” The next time you give into God’s kingdom, you can count on Him meeting your every need. And when you give to Him with a grateful, generous attitude of heart, know it pleases Him greatly. He will never neglect to reward you bountifully for it!
This incomparable book!
He Will Go Before You!
“I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well. ”. 2 Corinthians 8:8 (AMP)
In context Paul was addressing the Corinthian church concerning their heart attitude when it came to giving. In the verses before this one, he complimented them on how they excelled in so many ways – in their faith, their gifted speakers, their knowledge, their enthusiasm, and their love for Paul. But Paul wanted them to excel also in the gracious act of giving (v:7). This church was primarily a Gentile church, and Paul was reminding them of their pledge to contribute to helping the Jewish Christians that were being greatly persecuted in Jerusalem. Paul wanted to assure them that they were giving to the Lord, through the church. Giving is a spiritual principle that we are all expected to excel in. Our part is to give to the Lord, as an act of worship, and the results are extensive. In 2 Corinthians 9:11 Paul explained that giving into God’s kingdom interests results in the giver being enriched in every way, and God’s kingdom work being advanced: “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” Paul also wanted them to know that giving is an act of grace, not a grudging obligation, done out of compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “… don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Giving is always about the motivation of the heart. While it’s true that there is a definite reciprocal and proportionate return on our gifts – the point is, our giving is as much as about what’s in our hearts as it is about what’s in our hands. What impresses the Lord is not necessarily about what we give as much as how we give. The attitude of our heart is what honours Him. Proverbs 21:2 says, “People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.” The next time you give into God’s kingdom, you can count on Him meeting your every need. And when you give to Him with a grateful, generous attitude of heart, know it pleases Him greatly. He will never neglect to reward you bountifully for it!
This incomparable book!
(Thomas Brooks, "Apples of Gold" 1660)
"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" Psalm 119:97
The whole of Scripture is but one entire love letter, dispatched from the Lord Christ, to His beloved spouse!
Oh! the mysteries, the excellencies, the glories which are in this incomparable book! There are none so useful, none so needful, none so delightful, none so necessary to make you happy and to keep you happy — as this!
Ah! the Word of the Lord is . . .
a light to guide you,
a counselor to counsel you,
a comforter to comfort you,
a staff to support you,
a sword to defend you,
a physician to cure you!
The Word is . . .
a mine to enrich you,
a robe to clothe you,
a crown to crown you.
bread to strengthen you,
wine to cheer you,
a honeycomb to feast you,
music to delight you,
a paradise to entertain you!
Oh! therefore, before all and above all:
search the Scripture,
study the Scripture,
meditate on the Scripture,
delight in the Scripture,
treasure up the Scripture!
There is . . .
no wisdom like Scripture wisdom,
no knowledge like Scripture knowledge,
no experience like Scripture experience,
no comforts like Scripture comforts,
no delights like Scripture delights,
no convictions like Scripture convictions,
no conversion like Scripture conversion!
I exhort you to a speedy, serious, diligent,
and constant study of the Scripture.
Ah! you do not know how soon . . .
your blind minds may be enlightened,
your hard hearts may be softened,
your proud spirits may be humbled,
your sinful natures may be changed,
your defiled consciences may be purged,
your distempered affections may be regulated,
and your poor souls may be saved . . .
by searching into the Scriptures,
by reading the Scripture, and
by pondering upon the Scripture.
Ah! if you do not in good earnest,
give yourself up . . .
to the reading,
to the studying,
to the pondering,
to the believing,
to the practicing,
to the applying, and
to the living up to the Scripture —
Satan will be too hard for you,
the world will be too hard for you,
your lusts will be too hard for you,
temptations will be too hard for you,
deceivers will be too hard for you,
and in the end you will be miserable!
"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!" Psalm 119:97
The whole of Scripture is but one entire love letter, dispatched from the Lord Christ, to His beloved spouse!
Oh! the mysteries, the excellencies, the glories which are in this incomparable book! There are none so useful, none so needful, none so delightful, none so necessary to make you happy and to keep you happy — as this!
Ah! the Word of the Lord is . . .
a light to guide you,
a counselor to counsel you,
a comforter to comfort you,
a staff to support you,
a sword to defend you,
a physician to cure you!
The Word is . . .
a mine to enrich you,
a robe to clothe you,
a crown to crown you.
bread to strengthen you,
wine to cheer you,
a honeycomb to feast you,
music to delight you,
a paradise to entertain you!
Oh! therefore, before all and above all:
search the Scripture,
study the Scripture,
meditate on the Scripture,
delight in the Scripture,
treasure up the Scripture!
There is . . .
no wisdom like Scripture wisdom,
no knowledge like Scripture knowledge,
no experience like Scripture experience,
no comforts like Scripture comforts,
no delights like Scripture delights,
no convictions like Scripture convictions,
no conversion like Scripture conversion!
I exhort you to a speedy, serious, diligent,
and constant study of the Scripture.
Ah! you do not know how soon . . .
your blind minds may be enlightened,
your hard hearts may be softened,
your proud spirits may be humbled,
your sinful natures may be changed,
your defiled consciences may be purged,
your distempered affections may be regulated,
and your poor souls may be saved . . .
by searching into the Scriptures,
by reading the Scripture, and
by pondering upon the Scripture.
Ah! if you do not in good earnest,
give yourself up . . .
to the reading,
to the studying,
to the pondering,
to the believing,
to the practicing,
to the applying, and
to the living up to the Scripture —
Satan will be too hard for you,
the world will be too hard for you,
your lusts will be too hard for you,
temptations will be too hard for you,
deceivers will be too hard for you,
and in the end you will be miserable!